Driving Without Coolant Reservoir Cap

[John105]

REPORT this foolishness ASAP.
This is IMHO truly some very dumb and arrogant attitude "could care less about their customers" & behavior. Report them to Hyundai Corporate offices plus to the Dealership owner.
I would first call the dealership (Main Manager) and explaining to them you would like to know his reaction to the way his people treated you. Then that you will hold his dealership + service department (their very own servicing shop) totally responsible for any issues. You did not remove or lose the cap did you? So...... who did?

I would then ask, Would he send any of his own family members out on the road under similar situation?

If they truly cared for their customers, there is no way on earth he could not have quickly and caringly remedied this situation.
They could easily and simply could have called one of their local suppliers or even a close by Hyundai dealer for a repayable favor and have had an OEM or any suitable temporary cap (better than no cap!?) put in place until a Hyundai cap can be obtained.
Of course many, I am sure will say - "no , an oem cap is not really required" which I agree with.
The poor treatment you all received is what I can not accept. Unfortunately I am hearing more and more stories that sound very similar as of late. So what we have going on is , prices of vehicles are sky rocketing to near unobtainium prices along with the rising costs of service work while the quality of many parts and the quality of work is going in the opposite direction. Not good for consumers who can not DIY.

My problem with dealerships is exactly as you describe. True story Dec. You are complimenting me on my car to no end (like you're drooling about to offer me $5k for it). Then, when I talk to you as an enthusiast, you say you gotta take a call hahahahahahahaha

I'm totally fine with it, but we're not people. We're means to make a sales target (in service). Even the techs sending the videos, they sound like robots reading a dummy card.

Since I now understand that cooling system is pressurized just like a BMW, that's really bad on the dealership's part.

 

[Nukeman7]

I stand corrected. Then it's awful on the dealership's part. Dunno if it was discussed or not, exactly how does it become missing?

My wife brought her 2024 Tucson Hybrid in for scheduled maintenance today. They said the coolant reservoir cap was missing and they have one on order. They told her the car is still safe to operate and sent her on her way.

Now, I never touch anything under the hood of this car. It goes to the dealer religiously for its scheduled services. 100% one of their techs lost that cap. Mistakes happen, I get it.

According to the OP, no one other than the dealership has serviced this vehicle since it was newly purchased. Based on the dealership's position that it was missing (i.e., not misplaced/lost during the current service visit), he can deduce that the dealership technician either lost it (or did not tighten it adequately) during a previous service. The fact that it is markedly low on coolant supports the theory that the cap has been missing long enough for evaporation to have occurred.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Totally apologize for my angry post due to my somehow missing photos and NOT understanding that this is the over flow reservoir cap.

So, less of an issue that can likely be remedied by a stroll into Autozone / Nappa or any other auto parts store. I am near certain one can be found pretty easily or something can be used until correct one is found. Just realize now that cap is not critical YET I would not like to drive around missing mine.

Must have been "my" time of morning like the wife and her workmates (other teachers) joke about. They call it EEFFOC time of the day when they can not function properly. EEFFOC = COFFEE backwards. So they say until they have their caffeine they are in EEFFOC mode.
Just their little made up joke word. Means nothing sinister nor a hidden slang involved.

 

[Rand]

Totally apologize for my angry post due to my somehow missing photos and NOT understanding that this is the over flow reservoir cap.

So, less of an issue that can likely be remedied by a stroll into Autozone / Nappa or any other auto parts store. I am near certain one can be found pretty easily or something can be used until correct one is found. Just realize now that cap is not critical YET I would not like to drive around missing mine.

Must have been "my" time of morning like the wife and her workmates (other teachers) joke about. They call it EEFFOC time of the day when they can not function properly. EEFFOC = COFFEE backwards. So they say until they have their caffeine they are in EEFFOC mode.
Just their little made up joke word. Means nothing sinister nor a hidden slang involved.

it is a pressurized system.. not an unpressurized overflow (like subaru)
so in your terminology "more of an issue"

 

[Nukeman7]

For personal convenience, I'd probably pay $8 to get this knockoff cap to safely drive it until the OEM cap arrived. Then get the Hyundai Dealership to pay you $8 AFTER giving you the new OEM cap. In any event, a formal documented complaint to Hyundai is in order.

 

[4WD]

For personal convenience, I'd probably pay $8 to get this knockoff cap to safely drive it until the OEM cap arrived. Then get the Hyundai Dealership to pay you $8 AFTER giving you the new OEM cap. In any event, a formal documented complaint to Hyundai is in order.

View attachment 257536

Ya’ll see the squiggly arrows pointing upwards … ?

 

[4WD]

Totally apologize for my angry post due to my somehow missing photos and NOT understanding that this is the over flow reservoir cap.

So, less of an issue that can likely be remedied by a stroll into Autozone / Nappa or any other auto parts store. I am near certain one can be found pretty easily or something can be used until correct one is found. Just realize now that cap is not critical YET I would not like to drive around missing mine.

Must have been "my" time of morning like the wife and her workmates (other teachers) joke about. They call it EEFFOC time of the day when they can not function properly. EEFFOC = COFFEE backwards. So they say until they have their caffeine they are in EEFFOC mode.
Just their little made up joke word. Means nothing sinister nor a hidden slang involved.

I resemble that gotta be black and strong or it just bounces off

 

[eljefino]

According to the OP, no one other than the dealership has serviced this vehicle since it was newly purchased. Based on the dealership's position that it was missing (i.e., not misplaced/lost during the current service visit), he can deduce that the dealership technician either lost it (or did not tighten it adequately) during a previous service. The fact that it is markedly low on coolant supports the theory that the cap has been missing long enough for evaporation to have occurred.

Not just this, but there's NO REASON to remove the cap. The surge tank is translucent and the level can be verified just by looking at it. If the car needed a coolant top off, the dealer should have put it on the (past) invoice, so the customer knows the car is consuming it.

They removed the cap for stupid dealer fiddling around reasons, not for the benefit of the customer. These same goobers are probably putting oily fingers in the brake fluid as well, to "test" it with their test strips. There's no need on a year-old car to test EITHER fluid-- there's no way it could have aged out by now.

When you get this resolved, put a piece of painter's tap across the cap to "lock" it down, and sign your name where it would get cut if they mess with things again. Or get your car serviced somewhere better, the "glow" of having "factory trained technicians" work on this is pretty dim by my reading position.

 

[John105]

For personal convenience, I'd probably pay $8 to get this knockoff cap to safely drive it until the OEM cap arrived. Then get the Hyundai Dealership to pay you $8 AFTER giving you the new OEM cap. In any event, a formal documented complaint to Hyundai is in order.

View attachment 257536

Great idea.

On my Lexus I literally just put on an aftermarket Stant cap ($5) last month, purchased in 2016. I had a shop replace the coolant that I provided, and they showed me the bad cap, likely original or 19 yo.

 

[johnachak]

Question before I make contact with a local Hyundai dealership and give the service manager an earful…

My wife brought her 2024 Tucson Hybrid in for scheduled maintenance today. They said the coolant reservoir cap was missing and they have one on order. They told her the car is still safe to operate and sent her on her way.

Now, I never touch anything under the hood of this car. It goes to the dealer religiously for its scheduled services. 100% one of their techs lost that cap. Mistakes happen, I get it.

What I don’t like is they let her leave the shop without a cap… knowing it was missing. I popped the hood and noticed no obvious signs of coolant stains anywhere. The level is a tad low.

I believe they should have snagged one off a donor vehicle if available OR had her leave the car there and give her a loaner car in the meantime.

If I were a service manager at a dealership I would never let a customer drive off with a missing piece of a critical system such as a coolant system.

Thoughts?

I'm sure they could have pulled one off a vehicle in the showroom. No cap leads to evap loss since the pressure isn't maintained to prevent boiling.

 

[John105]

I'm sure they could have pulled one off a vehicle in the showroom. No cap leads to evap loss since the pressure isn't maintained to prevent boiling.

The chances are the decision that “it’s ok” is tech to service advisor. No one that’s in a position of accountability, such as foreman or service director.

And we’re not talking about a Porsche. It’s a Hyundai (I’m being facetious—it’s someone’s vehicle and likely their means of getting to work, home, relatives, etc. so it’s something).

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

That is the best , most durable looking plastic overflow tank cap I have seen in a while.
But, it is just tough to depend on getting quality work done nearly anyplace , anymore.
Not totally impossible but it does take some effort to find good places.

 

[John105]

That is the best , most durable looking plastic overflow tank cap I have seen in a while.
But, it is just tough to depend on getting quality work done nearly anyplace , anymore.
Not totally impossible but it does take some effort to find good places.

Our GM radiator cap (not overflow) resembles that, and what I learned, was its proper function (we are on the 3rd now) is needed for coolant to go to the reservoir and to come back. I had a condition where I noticed the upper rad hose collapsed with engine cold. The coolant in the reservoir, was over full, hot. It was over full, cold--it didn't change with the engine temp. Nobody could figure it out, until I came across a YouTube that said to replace the radiator cap. When I did? Coolant was over full, hot, and at the full line, cold. The upper rad hose was normal, when engine cold.

 

[John105]

According to the OP, no one other than the dealership has serviced this vehicle since it was newly purchased. Based on the dealership's position that it was missing (i.e., not misplaced/lost during the current service visit), he can deduce that the dealership technician either lost it (or did not tighten it adequately) during a previous service. The fact that it is markedly low on coolant supports the theory that the cap has been missing long enough for evaporation to have occurred.

My 2007 purchased new BMW has never been serviced other than by me and BMW, except once. At an indie, whom I would not accuse since they bucket washed my car after a $130 job.

A piece of my toolkit is gone. I had to look online to see what it was missing from a slot. A spare lug nut. I’m sure a tech grabbed it when they needed one. The car is a 2007 purchased new and the first 4 years of maintenance was included. It’s sad to say but it’s likely not common, but not out of the question, that our cars become a parts counter to techs, when convenient.

A dealer also ripped out my rear right brake sensor wire aligning the car and claimed it was already like that (I had DIY 90 miles prior). With the help of the BBB I got them to pay me $12 for the part. The service director was all giddy that’s it?! That’s all you want?! (I wanted to prove my point I’m not making it up and since FCP they told me it was covered). We can do more! I said change my water pump. They said yes! But I knew better and never went back. I saw Road Trip 2000 and going back for a free job is like sending French toast back for more powdered sugar

 

[garystaven88]

Right in the owners manual:

 

[KrisZ]

The dealer screwed up, no question about it. Not sure if it’s worth getting all worked up over this, talking about towing the vehicle to the dealer etc.

Why not just order the cap from Amazon and install it? I see the thread was started on Saturday, the cap would’ve been delivered by now.
Then I would go to the dealer and try to get my money back for it.

 

[John105]

Right in the owners manual:

View attachment 257626

As someone mentioned, the boiling point will be lower without the cap, and could lead to overheating. It was terrible advice by the dealer, and I still think getting the aftermarket cap on amazon is the quick fix (but shouldn't this cap be in stock somewhere locally?).

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

****DELETE****

 

[garystaven88]

Finally resolved. It took me going there in person as no one was getting back to me or answering the phone.

Service writer who let her drive off with no cap was there and gave the "I tolD heR iT woUld bE FinE bEcaUse it iSn't PreSSuriZEd". I brought the owner's manual in hand and had him read the section to me that states otherwise. He walked back to the shop, had a conversation with a tech and then apologized to me saying he was given false info from the tech. I told him fair enough, please grab me a cap and a bottle of coolant and I will be on my way.

I am going to seek another Hyundai dealership to do the maintenance with. I didn't like the vibe when she bought the car there from sales, I didn't like the vibe when I dropped it off for service once in the past and now this. Crummy dealership all around.

The service manager who never answered my calls or return them was there and didn't seem phased by any of this.

 

[Nukeman7]

Glad you are finally past the issue, but don't let the dealership off so easily. You still need to document a complaint with your Hyundai Regional Manager. Not only did the technician mismanage your Tucson, the dealership ignored and dismissed you throughout the process...even after the part arrived. Maybe Hyundai corporate will compensate you with a few freebies like oil changes.

Like you said, trust your instincts and go to another dealership for service in the future.